Ex-Met chief calls for cyclists to have licences and insurance after ‘near-death experience’

35 comments

1. I think licences are unnecessary, maybe a theory test, but insurance should definitely be legally required for over 18’s.

2. Impractical idea that simply won’t work. Better cycling and bike education would solve this. Very few if any countries have this as a requirement – the only country that does anything similar to this idea is… North Korea.

   Harsher penalties for dangerous cycling should be brought in, and better infrastructure. If licences and insurance were made mandatory who would even police it? If they can’t police dangerous cycling now then with licences and cycling there will be little/no difference.

3. I think that they should’ve put cycle lanes on pathways instead of streets. It’s safer for a cyclist to hit a person, than for a car to hit a cyclist

4. Cycling proficiency test like all kids in the uk used to do. Kind of makes sense if you are going to be on the road.

5. I’ve noticed Hogan-Howe going more and more GB News recently.

   Shame, used to not mind him.

6. Over a pedestrian a day is killed by motor vehicles in the UK. But hey let’s do something about cyclists almost, maybe nearly killing people.

   Edit. Any move to license cyclists would be terrible for society. Bikes ease congestion (both when moving and parked), they don’t polite the environment and greatly benefit the health of those using them. Bikes are also slow and lightweight so they pose little danger to others. 2-3 pedestrians a year die after collisions involving Bikes, it takes 3 days for motor vehicles to do the same.

   Introducing an expensive layer of bureaucracy would push people away from Bikes and into motor vehicles. Worsening congestion, health, polution  and pedestrian safety.

7. As opposed to the actual death experiences by motor vehicles

8. let have more laws and more runs in a system that cannot keep up with the laws and rules it has in place. great idea.

9. Dunno, maybe having better cycling infrastructure would help, like properly separated bike lanes so cyclists don’t have to mix with vehicles or pedestrians in the first place.

10. If we’re going down this route we should also have licenses and insurance for pedestrians. I’ve twice had significant injuries (broken bones, concussions etc) caused by pedestrians walking out into the road without looking.

11. Totally agree. Qr code number plates too ao we can lock up dangerous riders

12. This shit again. Totally impractical nonsense with the only country operating in this manner being fucking North Korea.

    Regardless of poor cyclists…Excluding kids from riding bikes is some absolutely deranged behaviour .

13. I think it would be a good idea, however would never be able to police it

14. No need for cyclist licenses or insurance, just put a plate on each bike, Japan style, and fine ones who don’t ride properly. You would be amazed how fast everyone would learn how to behave.

15. Sure and cars should require advanced driving licences for people driving in the city and built up areas, mandatory renewal and retesting every 5 years and vehicle monitoring that tracks driving habits, speed and quality at all times. 

16. > Cyclists should be subject to “riding licences”, a former chief of the Met Police has said.

    > Lord Hogan-Howe, who was commissioner of the Met from 2011 to 2017, suggested introducing licences as well as registration plates and driver-style penalty points for rogue cyclists.

    Finally, common sense prevails. They should also be insured other than having a license.

17. A cycling license? Honestly, this country is a fucking meme, fuck right off.

18. Oh, look it’s the Telegraph attacking cyclists again 🙄

19. What a nonsense idea. Sorry kids, no bike until you’re 18 and have passed a cycling proficiency

20. Given the Starmer government’s apparent propensity for banning and regulating things I wouldn’t rule this out tbh

21. Fantastic idea. Drivers, with their licences and insurance, are already known for being much safer for other road users than unregulated cyclists, so this is definitely something that will reduce road accidents.

22. Can we propose more legislation for the met instead? 

    Would save more lives

23. I totally agree with this . Cyclists are getting far more bold and unruly. They don’t pay road tax nor insurance. They are also anonymous so can’t be easily identified for crimes.Fair is fair cars are charged a load to be on the road , bikes need a pro rato tax , insurance and a licence number.

24. Some people really do turn into frothing loons when they even hear about a cyclist, never mind see one.

    As witnessed in this thread.

    Personally, the people on the roads who make me the wariest are those who drive Peugeots and Nissan Jukes.

25. How about build some proper cycling lanes that don’t become a parking out of nowhere

26. Having higher barriers to entry for motor vehicles is sensible because they’re more dangerous. Passenger jets are more regulated than HGVs which are more regulated than cars which are more regulated than mopeds which are more regulated than bicycles.

    Applying the same rules to bikes and cars is pea-brained, using a hammer to crack a nut. Motor vehicles cause over 400 pedestrian deaths every year, bikes cause two or less.

27. Hugely impractical, almost impossible to enforce by the police, at huge cost to taxpayers, for almost no benefit. But apparently because some people got mildly startled by a few idiots on bikes once this is needed.

    Want something more workable? Mandate that everyone getting a driving licence must do Bikeability Level 3 training (essentially how to cycle safely on a road) before they are allowed their full licence. Teaches good cycling behaviour, raises awareness of the needs of cyclists when you are driving, and can be enforced through existing systems.

28. It’s e bikes that have the frame and acceleration of mopeds that are more of an issue imo. Bizzare they aren’t regulated.

29. Given how much trouble the police have enforcing bans where licences are already required, this is not even going to be a starter.

30. Exactly what is needed to reduce traffic and CO2 emissions, the harder you make it for someone to use a bike the less people will do it and the worse commuting becomes for everyone.

31. Ex-Met chief isn’t aware that insurance for cyclists is a thing, and that license plates won’t happen.

32. I can just see a copper asking an 8 year old riding on the pavement if he’s a licence and insurance. FFS.

33. First you make bicycle theft prevention a major thing and reduce instances of stolen bicycles by 89% minimum and enforce that. Also make the sale of angle grinders to require license and identification from a trade organization so that the thieves guild’s riff raff crew doesn’t have any access to those.

    Do all that before you require license, registration, and insurance for bicycles.

34. Most complaints about cyclists can be resolved by investing in infrastructure for bikes. Bike paths take very little room and have amazing throughput compared to car lanes.

35. As a Bus driver based in South Wales I can assure you that the majority of our drivers will wish the same. We almost always blamed by everyone for near misses with cyclists. And the reality in our area is that people especially these fast food delivery men give absolutely no thought to traffic laws, they blindly cycle out infront of our vehicles.

    There is one particular road near me, 2 lanes each way about a mile long that has about 4 crossroads with traffic lights. Every night without fail, cyclists as well as young teens on scooters and sometimes motorbikes will just ignore the red lights (at a crossroad) weaving inbetween cars, and you often see them wheeling past police cars taunting them.)

    Its become a Meme around by me that people on bikes are invisible to the police, drug dealers use electric bikes now as there is less chance of them being pulled over, especially considering that police turn a blind eye to them literally offending infront of their eyes due to not being able to pursue.

    And I think abig reason for this, was not far away from us, 2 teens we’re killed trying to escape the police on a bike, the police we’re in pursuit and the community and public BLAMED the police suggesting that they shouldn’t have been pursuing them. Well i’m sorry, having 2 wheels doesn’t exempt you from the Law.

    Every “vehicle” scooter, bike etc that uses the road should require a license plate and insurance. And ANY vehicle that doesnt, and is see using the roads etc should lead to the vehicle being seized and points on any traffic license thats held.

    Our government are doing alot at the moment that I don’t agree with. But solving this culture of “fuck it you wont get caught” That we have here in the UK when it comes to the LAW needs to be changed. Because these same people park their cars inconveniently, they litter and fly tip.. If you have no respect for your or anyone elses safety on the road then I can gaurentee they don’t care about other etiquettes either.